Value Stream Manager

Protecting What Matters. Powering The Future Of Naval Technology. Ultra Maritime is a global leader in advanced maritime defence solutions. We operate at the forefront of innovation, delivering technologies that protect lives, secure nations, and enable a safer, more sustainable world.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing activities within the assigned value stream to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQCDP) targets.
• Take full ownership and accountability for production delivery performance, including schedule adherence, Value Creation Plans (VCP), On-Time Delivery, productivity, scrap, and cost control.
• Act as a visible, hands-on leader on the shop floor, setting clear expectations and driving accountability for performance standards.
• Hold end-to-end delivery accountability across the value stream, including task management and coordination of Production Engineering, Test Systems Engineering, and Planning.
• Ensure all interdependent activities are aligned, executed on time, and support overall delivery commitments – removing barriers and driving resolution where performance gaps exist.
• Lead and integrate daily, weekly, and monthly planning activities, ensuring the value stream is resourced appropriately with the right skills and capacity to meet demand.
• Manage the introduction and industrialisation of new product lines in collaboration with Production Engineering and supporting functions.
• Champion a culture of safety, security, and strict regulatory compliance within a defence manufacturing environment.
• Identify and implement operational improvements to enhance flow, eliminate waste, and reduce lead times.
• Lead structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to resolve production, quality, and delivery issues.
• Develop and execute medium-term improvement plans to enhance capability, capacity, and operational resilience.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Programmes to proactively manage risks, constraints, and dependencies.
• Build capability within frontline leadership through coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure adherence to quality management systems and governance frameworks.

Qualifications / Skills Required

• Degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related discipline.
• Proven production management experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally within defence, aerospace, or another highly regulated sector.
• Strong operational delivery focus with demonstrable experience improving production performance.
• Practical experience of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement implementation.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 environments.
• Experience leading change, or transformation initiatives within manufacturing operations.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to use data to drive decisions and improvements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance (as required).
• Typically, a Bachelor Degree (or equivalent) in a related field and related experience.
• People leader experience.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.
• May be required to maintain security clearance.

Security Requirements

This role requires you to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard Check (BPSS) as a minimum and some roles will require further national security vetting checks. In line with Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided.

What can you expect from us?

• Optional 9 day fortnight.
• TOIL.
• Flexible working hours.
• 1pm finish on a Friday.
• Annual bonus – dependent on level. Non-managers = 5% and Managers = 10% for example.
• Hybrid working for certain job roles.
• Casual dress.
• 25 days holiday.
• Christmas shut down – use three days of annual leave to cover this.
• Option to buy or sell holiday.
• Option to purchase private health care, dental, critical illness etc via salary sacrifice.
• Reward hub - discounts at over 200 online stores.
• 4 x annual salary life cover.
• Pension starting at 5% Employer / 4% Employee. You can select your employee contribution level from 4% to 70% (providing this sacrifice does not cause your salary to drop below the National Minimum Wage/ National Living Wage).

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

Ultra Maritime embraces the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. We strive to build an open, inclusive workplace where ideas flourish and every individual can make a meaningful impact. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let the recruitment lead managing your application know.

Together, we deliver cutting-edge solutions that safeguard our oceans and secure a safer world.